The best road cycling routes around Saint-Firmin-Des-Prés

Rue du Change in Vendôme. Pedestrian street with a view of the Trinity

In 1960, Father Jacques Lepage, then vicar in the city center, was sent to prospect and begin to bring the Christian Community to life in the new Rottes district. A plot of land was found and an architect was chosen, Mr. Michel Marconnet. On October 19, 1962, the temporary chapel, the current Jacques Lepage hall, was opened. First baptism, on October 21, 62. There would be 10 more at the end of the calendar year and a hundred or so each year that followed. The population of the district was very young and growing. In 1966, while in the city center the 2 parishes of the Trinity and the Madeleine were merged, that of NDR was erected. Father Lepage became the first priest. The church was not finished. The interior design was entrusted to a local artist, Prix de Rome, Mr. Louis Leygue, who expressed himself in the choir, the baptismal font, the chapel of the Blessed Sacrament and the crypt. Mrs. Anne Huet created the stained glass windows. Father Lepage would make a large part of them in his garage. At Christmas 1967, the first mass was celebrated. On May 12, 1968, Bishop Joseph Goupy came to consecrate the altar and bless the building. Work would continue and the history of the church did not end there.

Renay Castle is now in ruins. It was built in the 15th century and belonged to different noble families over the centuries, such as the Courcillons, the Rochambeaus, and the Raguet Lépines. The castle was partially registered as a historic monument in 1971, but it has not been well maintained by its successive owners. The last owner is Sylvain Durand, a dealer and collector who made his fortune with the paintings of Fernand Léger. He died in 2018 and his furniture and collection were sold at auction. The castle has suffered from a lack of maintenance and preservation.

Vendôme benefits from an extraordinary heritage with numerous exceptional sites and monuments. The city is also renowned for the excellence of its artistic crafts. Crossed by the Loir, it is located in an environment that will delight nature lovers.

The Manoir de la Bonne-Aventure is a 15th century manor built on the site of a former Templar commandery. You can admire the architecture and decoration of the manor, which belonged to King Henri IV then to the family of the poet Alfred de Musset.

The Saint-Jacques Church in Oucques is a church dating from the 10th century and dedicated to Saint James the Greater, one of the apostles of Jesus Christ. You can tour the church and admire its architecture which combines Romanesque and Gothic styles. You will also learn about the history and culture of the people who built and worshiped in the church, which was part of the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. You can book a guided tour with one of the parishioners, who will tell you more about the secrets and stories of this place. You will need to book in advance, as the church is not open to the public all year round.

Renay Castle is now in ruins. It was built in the 15th century and belonged to different noble families over the centuries, such as the Courcillons, the Rochambeaus, and the Raguet Lépines. The castle was partially registered as a historic monument in 1971, but it has not been well maintained by its successive owners. The last owner is Sylvain Durand, a dealer and collector who made his fortune with the paintings of Fernand Léger. He died in 2018 and his furniture and collection were sold at auction. The castle has suffered from a lack of maintenance and preservation, and has been damaged by vandalism and natural disasters. The tower, courtyards, chapel and chimneys are still visible, but most of the buildings are in a state of disrepair. It is a shame that such historical and architectural heritage is in such a state of disrepair, but the visit remains fascinating.

Zone i is a cultural space around the image and the environment nestled in the heart of the valley in Thoré-la-Rochette. This one-of-a-kind place hosts cultural actions designed by its creators, Mat and Monica. They vary over the years, the seasons and the inspiration of the creators.